J. Carey Thompson, Principal
I’ve spent more than 30 years in the enrollment leadership chair at four nationally recognized liberal arts colleges—Furman University, Centre College, Rhodes College, and Gettysburg College. I know firsthand what it takes to deliver enrollment results under board pressure, navigate presidential transitions, and build strategies that work in declining markets.
The results speak for themselves: 48–90% application growth across institutions, up to 300% international enrollment increases, and consistent class profile and net tuition revenue gains across different institutional contexts and market conditions. But the real work was about building sustainable recruitment and enrollment systems aligned with institutional mission, functional areas, and market reality.
What I’ve Done
At Gettysburg College, as Vice President for Enrollment and Educational Services, I led Admissions, Financial Aid, Athletics and Recreation, and Institutional Research. My team and I delivered 48% application growth and 300% international enrollment expansion while implementing Early Action and a predictive analytics approach that transformed recruitment strategy.
At Rhodes College, as Vice President for Enrollment and Communications, my team and I achieved 48% application growth and 200%+ international enrollment expansion. I led digital transformation with a Slate implementation, new institutional website, integrated data systems, and a net-price-oriented institutional aid strategy. When COVID hit, we successfully pivoted recruitment strategy to deliver a record class in Fall 2021.
At Centre College, as Vice President for Enrollment and Student Planning, my team and I drove 90% application growth with simultaneous 25% enrollment increase, improved net tuition revenue 23% per student, and raised ACT averages from 26 to 29. Working across administrative divisions, I created the Centre Fellows and Centre Commitment programs and initiated the college’s partnership with the Posse Foundation.
At Furman University, as Director of Admission, my team and I grew the applicant pool approximately 65%, diversified the applicant pool and student body, designed the merit aid program, and modernized student recruitment systems.
Beyond Individual Institutions
I served as President of the Common Application Board of Directors (2009–2014), shaping the platform used by over 1,000 colleges. I received the Larry West Award from the Southern Association of College Admission Counseling, the largest of the regional affiliates—the organization’s highest honor for professional contributions.
I currently serve as Senior Advisor to the Council of Independent Colleges, where I’m helping develop the concept of a National Career Center to strengthen career outcomes across independent colleges.
My thought leadership includes keynote addresses at the College Board Enrollment Leadership Academy, presentations at NACAC and SACAC national conferences, and a College Board monograph on data analytics in enrollment management.
Education
- Master of Education in Institutional Advancement | Vanderbilt University
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology | Furman University
Professional Experience
- Founder and Principal | CVET Enrollment Strategies
- Senior Advisor | Council of Independent Colleges
- Vice President for Enrollment and Educational Services, Dean of Admission | Gettysburg College
- Leadership of Admission, Financial Aid, Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation, and Institutional Research
- Vice President for Enrollment and Communications, Dean of Admission | Rhodes College
- Leadership of Admission, Financial Aid, Communications, Data Services, and Rhodes Express
- Vice President for Enrollment and Student Planning Services, Dean of Admission | Centre College
- Leadership of Admission, Financial Aid, and Career Services
- Director of Admission | Furman University
Industry Leadership
- Active member and leader in National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Southern Association of College Admission Counseling (SACAC), the College Board, the Southern Consortium, and the Small College Consortium
- Recognized speaker and presenter on enrollment management topics
- Frequent external reviewer of private college enrollment programs
Technical Expertise
- Experience with Slate, Othot Analytics, Marketview, and the EAB financial aid platform
- Extensive experience in net tuition revenue management and financial aid strategy
- Extensive experience with data analytics and business intelligence applications